Polo GTI High Oil Usage - Discussion Thread

[gavs]

Thanks for the kind words lucas, for those unlucky enough to be having these issues they are certainly reassuring.

I also believe that part of the holden fix was to also install a larger volume sump and different dipstick to lull owners still having issues into a false sense of security (word of mouth from part of the GenIII team) and that the issues arrose from teh wrong pistons being fitted into the engines in mexico to begin with

Karly, the proble is that if you are driving it hard and the engine didn't bed in properley to begin with, you are just exacerbating the issue.Because you don't get that good mating between the rings and bores, all that you are doing when running it hard is forcing more oil past and into the combustion chamber, you are making the problem worse, not better unfortunately. As Lucas said, as have many others and I too believe this, based on now 11,000kms. The critical time is the first 100kms. You MUST, not kinda, MUST load up that engine. If you want more specific info shoot me a PM with your email and I will go more in depth for you.

If you don't get that good mate in the first 100kms, then you're going to be forever pushing the proverbial uphill with a sharp stick. The other things is that the bores also MUST be re-honed to get a nice, fresh surface to mate against.

One of the guys in the UK is running Mobil 1 0W40 oil in his heavily tuned GTI and is not having oil consumption issues as yet and believe me when I saw he is REALLY flogging that monster. 0W40 has a slightly higher viscosity so it should be harder to blow by the rings, this is potentially another option for those out there, just ensure that you get the oil that meets the specific oil requirements outlined in your owner's manual.

[RoknRob]

Hey, gavs,

How many kms, on average, do the guys do, when driving the car on and off trucks and boats from the assembly line? If the first few kms are so critical, wouldn't they have already ruined your chances?

I also disagree with the notion that you are "making the problem worse" by running the car hard if you are already losing oil.

I suspect you meant you will lose more oil. I agree with this.

Yes, you will lose more oil, but then, hopefully, VW will acknowledge the actual, underlying problem (faulty piston rings, which were corrected in cars built from March 2011 on, if this forum is to be believed) and fix it.

What a shame it would be to own a GTI but then feel obliged to run it gently for the rest of it's life, just because VW made a mistake. I am certainly not letting VWs mistake ruin my fun!

(But I did check the oil more regularly - until access was sealed by my dealer, for the consumption tests.)

Oil consumption test, stage 2, tomorrow...

[Diesel_vert]

So how many kms, on average, do the guys do, when driving the car on and off trucks and boats from the assembly line? If the first few kms are so critical, wouldn't they have already ruined your chances?

Yes, that does sound logical.

However, the issue isn't the bedding in process - the issue is that it's a manufacturing fault that's causing these problems. Certainly, the bedding in process may help alleviate the problem somewhat, and if you're fortunate enough, it may even fix it completely.



But the point is, it shouldn't be occurring in the first place - irrespective of bedding in "procedure" (this is a road engine for pete's sake, not some highly-strung race engine that needs to be mollycoddled every time you start it up).

If one manages to fix the problem entirely through their own efforts, then more power to you. But an equally valid counterpoint is, how far should a consumer have to go out of their way to fix what should be a warrantable fault?

[RoknRob]

Yes, that does sound logical.

However, the issue isn't the bedding in process - the issue is that it's a manufacturing fault that's causing these problems. Certainly, the bedding in process may help alleviate the problem somewhat, and if you're fortunate enough, it may even fix it completely.



But the point is, it shouldn't be occurring in the first place - irrespective of bedding in "procedure" (this is a road engine for pete's sake, not some highly-strung race engine that needs to be mollycoddled every time you start it up).

If one manages to fix the problem entirely through their own efforts, then more power to you. But an equally valid counterpoint is, how far should a consumer have to go out of their way to fix what should be a warrantable fault?

Exactly. A very eloquent restating of my point above. Thanks.

[brad]

How many kms, on average, do the guys do, when driving the car on and off trucks and boats from the assembly line? If the first few kms are so critical, wouldn't they have already ruined your chances?

Mine had done 18km when i took delivery.

I have a mate in Finland that unloads cars from the RORO boat. They don't hang about, so I assume they'd help the process - except the engines are dead cold and they just start & drive.

Agree with the fact that no matter how the engine is run-in it won't get around a manufacturing/design problem but some people baby their new cars too much.

[gavs]

the issue is that it's a manufacturing fault that's causing these problems. Certainly, the bedding in process may help alleviate the problem somewhat, and if you're fortunate enough, it may even fix it completely.

THIS is the point. I for one have tried contacting media outlets but due to the masses of sponsership that this company pumps into different media platforms, it is the only reason I can come up with for why this isn't a widespread issue that is being highly publicised accross the globe. In the UK, on of their media outlets had one as a long termer, surprise surprise, oil light came on within 2000-3000kms afterpicking up. "VW contacted us immediately and resolved the issue...." How did they resolve it though? New pistons and rings? new engine? Hell, a whole new car with the same rego plates on it so they couldn't tell??

Get someone who gives a **** about it and it will go places, otherwise, we're all screwed and there is nothing you can do about it other than selling the car.

Rob, there is absolutely no evidence that there was any change that occured in March 2011. People that have picked up cars built post March 2011 in the UK are still having oil consumption issues. And you are correct, I meant that by "making it worse" meant that more oil will just be burned off.

To answer your first question, 20kms. The other thing is, that's only how many kms are on the car, the engines are supposedly pre-run before even being put in the car. Aside from also having trasport modes written into the ecu, there is no possible way that the car can be flogged prior to having it's ECU unlocked and programmed at the dealership.

[RoknRob]

Thanks for the info, gavs. Lots of good stuff there.

So if the transport guys can't flog the cars, and the engines are pre-run, the way I see it, you pretty much are already screwed...

But, it's not a concern for most new cars. It is on this car due to the DESIGN FLAW.

The point I am trying to make, is that, while it is not the intent, I am sure, and irrational though it may be, the discussion here makes me feel GUILTY about not having flogged my car enough on receipt, when I certainly did my best to. I suspect I am not alone.

In my opinion, we have to stop blaming us drivers, and placing the blame where it is deserved - VW's design flaw.

That being said, I love the idea that I don't have to feel guilty about flogging a new car before the break-in period is over! I've had fun with this car from day 1!

I agree that this issue should be made more public - other companies are recalling cars left, right and centre for much smaller issues.

And yet, the personnel at my dealer all read me the same script - "That's European cars for you! To be expected..."

Can't wait to hear what my consumption test will show.

---------- Post added at 01:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:44 PM ----------

Well, there you go.

600mL over 1300 km means ~930mL/2000km.

No new piston rings for me, for now.

Will have to keep checking the oil, every other fill. What a drag.

[gavs]

Rob, nail, head, hit.


we have to stop blaming us drivers, and placing the blame where it is deserved - VW's design flaw.

[prcurrie]

Rob, nail, head, hit.


we have to stop blaming us drivers, and placing the blame where it is deserved - VW's design flaw.

There's gotta be a way to get VW to listen. How do class actions work these days I'm sure there's enough people out there experience problems!

[PatoriaN]

lol driver issue? How about get ****ed? Does it say fang the **** out of your brand new car to make sure it works as its meant to? Thats the stupidest **** I have ever heard. - Really.

So my oil light is now flashing on and off and I have done a massive 1900 kms. I'll be calling VW Australia tomorrow when they open. These ****ers will be fixing the issue and promptly.

36k for a car and **** doesn't work!?! Penitence doesn't exist here, not when its a known issue. I'll keep you posted.

[brad]

In terms of high dudgeon, this thread delivers.

[prcurrie]

lol driver issue? How about get ****ed? Does it say fang the **** out of your brand new car to make sure it works as its meant to? Thats the stupidest **** I have ever heard. - Really.

So my oil light is now flashing on and off and I have done a massive 1900 kms. I'll be calling VW Australia tomorrow when they open. These ****ers will be fixing the issue and promptly.

36k for a car and **** doesn't work!?! Penitence doesn't exist here, not when its a known issue. I'll keep you posted.

This forum needs a 'Like' button!!!!

Keeps us posted PatoriaN

[pologti18t]

There's gotta be a way to get VW to listen. How do class actions work these days I'm sure there's enough people out there experience problems!

Are VW attempting to fix the problem when reported? Remember VW have no idea a car is having an issue unless reported by the owner.
What do you think they should do to resolve the issue?
Is this a design flaw, or a manufacture fault caused by third party parts?
Do other manufacturers have similar problems? Are they resolved in the same manner?

[R1 Crasher]

This is a great read.
Are the older Golf GT MKV 's affected in the same way?
They are 118tsi as apposed to 132 is that much of an increase the problen?
If it is I would hate to own a modified{reflashed} version then.

[brad]

I think the old twincharger GTs were 125kw